EdWolf

Dear Geraint, That sounds like a solid plan. I will give it a try this weekend. Thanks a lot! Regargs, Ed

As George mentioned the Kogatana is shoved too far into the Kozuka. It’s stuck. What is the best way to remove the kogotana without demaging the Kozuka?

Dear George, I think you are right about the boat and fisherman. When I bought the wakizashi the tsuba was positioned wrong. The hole (I think kozuka hitsu is the right terminology) was on the wrong side of the sword. Maybe the previous owner forced the kogotana into the kozuka. Regards, Ed

Stephen, you have good eyes. Yes, made of iron.

The fuchi is not signed. Not the best pictures. It's cloudy and almost evening.

Dear George, Thanks for pointing this out. Never thought that the shield is a straw hat. It’s funny that the sword I was at least interested in turned out to be the most valuable sword. On the kozuka is also a figure I don’t recognize. Do you have any idea? Regards, Ed

Hi Stephen, Thanks for your reply. All prices of the different components you mentioned surprised me a lot. Because I purchased it in a trade, the total cost of the sword for me is in the 300 to 500 range. Depends how low or high I could sell the helmets. Shinto (1600-1764) era blade. I’m way off How can you tell? I have tried to look at the curve of the blade and how the blade was made. I still have a long road to go. The menuki of a man behind a golden shield is nice.

Hi Stephen, As a not native English speaker I don’t know the meaning of WAG. Hope this means nothing bad about the sword. Oil on the blade to protect the blade is probably the best option. Do you mean that the tosogu is a real bonus? Can you give me an indication of the age of the sword? My thoughts, late 19th century but I can’t find any records of a sword smith Ietsugu is this time frame. All information is welcome! I really want to learn.

Hi Jean, Thanks for your reply. Interesting videos. The polishing costs are high and without more information about the sword not a real option. Regards, Ed

Let me begin with a short story. I have collected ww2 helmets for quite a long period. A few years ago, I lost interest in them and sold many helmets. Now, I have only a few of them left. Recently, I made a deal with another collector to swap two helmets for a navy sword. (pictures of the sword are posted in the Military Swords section). Because the value of the two helmets was just above the value of the navy sword an old wakizashi was added. This wakizashi brought me to this forum. The nakago was signed. Now I know (thanks to this forum) that the blade is signed Ietsugu. Unfortunately, the blade is not in the best condition. Because the sword was just for closing the deal I don’t expect the sword is valuable but I want to learn as much as possible from it. Like time-period, how to preserve the blade from further damage, etc. All information about this sword will be highly appreciated. Regards, Ed And a thread without pictures is no thread here are some pictures of the sword.

Hi Bruce, Thanks for all the additional information! I still have to learn a lot. Regards, Ed

Bruce, my sword has also the fat kissaki tip. Regards, Ed

Bruce, thanks for the information!

Nice to see an other sword with a label. Yes, the other side is unsigned. I will compare the tip of the blade tomorrow.

The tsuba and the seppa are all marked with the same number. Looks like 380.

This markings are found on the nakago of my navy sword. There is a naval mark near to the habaki, an unreadible label and some painted markings.

Will the presence of the label add some value to the sword or is this more a little bonus. Can this kind of labels also found on army swords or only on navy swords or is this more related to the manufacturer of the swords?

Some better pictures of my navy sword. The label on the nagako is unreadable. Does anyone know what's normally printed on the label? Regards, Ed

Hi Grey, Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I have read the page and will buy some Choji oil to protect the blade. Regards, Ed

Hi Stephen, thanks for all the information and your help. Next step, finding the right ietsugu :-) regards, Ed

Yes, the condition of the sword is very good. More pictures soon...

Hi Ray, Thanks for your input. Ietstugu looks good. For me all the kanji's looked the same regards, Ed

thanks! I will post some pics soon.

Namitsugu ??

I don't have pictures of the blade. I don't know what part of the sword the nakago is. I will take some pictures next week and post them. Regards, Ed